This post was written as a paid collaboration with Get Cracking. As always, all opinions are our own.
We get it.
You’re busy.
We’re busy. But, we still want to do it all.
You want something quick – because omgosh we have a gazillion things to do before 9am when you’re living the mom life. You want something nutritious that helps meet your baby’s nutrient needs because holy dyna their brain is growing at a rapid pace. And finally, you want something delicious to feed your baby.
They say “something has to give,” but we’ve gone ahead anyway and accomplished the impossible! We’ve crafted a baby breakfast recipe that’s:
- Quick
- Nutritious
- Tasty
- Soft and Squishable
Enter the Baby Apple Spice Mug Cake—an easy baby breakfast idea we designed to fit the bill. You might be surprised to learn this, and we hate to brag…but…this recipe is ready in less than two minutes!
Why do we love this mug cake recipe?
We could rattle off an entire essay about why we love this easy baby led weaning breakfast, but to spare you all that we’re going to touch on a few things:
This baby breakfast mug cake is quick
One of the biggest advantages of this mug cake is its convenience. As busy parents, we often need quick solutions without sacrificing nutrition, and this recipe does just that. With a few minutes (two, to be exact) of prep and cook time, you can have a nutritious meal ready quickly.
This baby breakfast mug cake is nutritious
It’s a perfect breakfast or snack for babies starting on solids because it’s packed with nutrition to support their growth and development. The combination of egg, almond butter, and iron-fortified infant cereal ensures that your baby gets a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals like iron. All of these ingredients support your baby’s overall health!
This baby breakfast mug cake is tasty
This mug cake combines the natural sweetness of applesauce without added sugars, which babies don’t need. Oh, and we can’t forget about the warm flavour of cinnamon!
This baby breakfast mug cake is soft
When feeding babies, texture is always top of mind from a safety perspective. The cake is soft and squishable, making it ideal for babies who are still developing their chewing skills.
Why eggs are a smart choice for a baby
Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition and an excellent choice for babies. According to the latest infant feeding guidelines, introducing eggs early right around 6 months can help prevent egg allergies. This makes eggs a smart addition to your baby’s diet.
Eggs are nutritionally rich. They contain high-quality protein, which is essential for growth and development. Eggs are also a great source of vitamin B12, crucial for brain development, and choline, which supports cognitive function. Additionally, they provide healthy fats, and a neat compound called zeaxanthin, which is important for eye health. These nutrients make eggs a vital component of your baby’s diet.
Amazing - one egg provides 100% of a baby’s daily choline needs! Among other brain functions, choline plays a pivotal role in your baby’s memory development.
At what age can I make this for my baby?
You can start making this Baby Apple Spice Mug Cake for your baby soon after they start solids, provided they have been introduced to the top allergens included in the recipe individually first.
The allergens in this recipe include:
- Eggs
- Almonds*
- And, any potential allergens in the iron-fortified infant cereal, such as skim milk powder or wheat
* if you’re substituting another nut or seed butter for the almond butter make sure it is has already been introduced
When and how do I serve this mug cake to my baby?
You can slice it into thin fingers about ½” wide. The slice needs to be large enough for your baby to grasp so they can self feed. Or, if your baby has their pincer grasp you can slice the cake into tiny pieces that are about the size of an O shaped cereal.
As always, ensure the cake is not hot to protect your baby from a burn.
Wait - is using the microwave safe?
Short answer: yes!
Parents sometimes come to us concerned about using the microwave for their baby, which is probably thanks to a lot of misinformation on the internet. The truth is, it’s 100% safe to use the microwave for preparing and reheating food for you and your baby.
Health Canada has conducted studies to investigate any possible negative health effects of microwaving foods. Thankfully, they have not found any evidence of toxicity or carcinogenicity. Yaay for us because we 10/10 use the microwave to cook food and to reheat our coffee while we’re busy mommying!
There is one thing to keep in mind, though. It’s prudent to check the temperature of the food you serve your baby. The microwave can create what’s known as “hot spots”. To avoid burning your baby’s mouth, test the foods and beverages by placing them on your skin or taking a bite yourself or make sure to give the food a good stir.
Lastly, always use microwave and food safe dishware.
Extra tips and substitution ideas
Because we know how everyone loves a versatile recipe, here are some substitution tips to keep in mind!
- Try peanut butter, sunflower butter, tahini instead of almond butter! The flavour profile will be different but the overall texture and nutrition will still be very much the same. *See note about allergen introduction above
- The iron fortified cereal gives a nice (surprise, surprise) iron boost but you could also substitute with more wheat flour or almond flour if you don’t have access to infant cereal.
- Got a bit of leftover purée from a pouch that you’ve previously offered your baby? Use it instead of the applesauce! This is a great way to change the flavour and reduce food waste as well.
There you have it, friends. An easy, tasty, and nutrient rich recipe that includes the goodness of Canadian eggs.
At this point, it probably took you longer to read this blog post than it would have to make the recipe!
Watch how to make this baby mug cake!
Apple Spice Mug Cake for Baby
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp applesauce
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp iron fortified infant cereal
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Using a fork whisk together the egg, applesauce, and almond butter in a mug that holds at least 12 oz (375 ml). Stir in the flour, infant cereal, baking powder, and cinnamon.
- Microwave for 60-90 seconds. It’s done when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. CAUTION - mug may be hot! Remove the cake from the mug and allow it to cool to a safe temperature before slicing and serving to your baby.
